Experts at Jane's Intelligence Review, citing satellite evidence that Pyongyang has been preparing to launch a space-launch vehicle (SLV) at its Musudan-ni site, said such an act would boost national pride in the country.

"A successful launch of the Unha 2 (the name of the SLV) could prove beneficial for Pyongyang by stoking national pride following elections to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly on 8th Marth," the magazine said.

"The 12th Supreme People's Assembly will sit for its first session on 9 April, immediately after the SLV launch.

"However, it (the launch) is also likely to lead to international sanctions and opprobrium."

North Korea, which is involved in the six-party talks along with South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, has announced that it will launch a communications satellite between April 4 and 8.

Japan, South Korea and The United States believe the North is actually testing a missile that could, in theory, reach Alaska.

According Jane's Intelligence Review, commercially available satellite imagery from March 16 appeared to show Pyongyang was preparing to launch a space-launch vehicle (SLV) at the site.

The magazine said that after comparing the images to similar ones taken earlier this month and last month, it was clear that a crane was visible on the launch site and was over the launch pad.

"This suggests preparations are well underway for the SLV to be placed on the pad in stages," Jane's Intelligence Review said.

earlier related report
Japan voices fears over NKorea rocket test: Jiji
A top Japanese diplomat said Monday that an upcoming North Korean rocket launch would hurt international talks on scrapping Pyongyang's nuclear programmes, Japanese media said.

Japanese nuclear negotiator Akitaka Saiki made the remarks after discussing the six-party negotiations with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Jiji Press reported.

"The (rocket) issue cannot be separated from the six-way talks, which is a diplomatic process aimed at the peace and stability of the Asian region," Saiki told journalists.

If Pyongyang goes ahead with the launch, he said, "we shared the recognition that we could not resume talks as if nothing had happened."

North Korea, which is involved in the six-party talks along with South Korea, China, Japan, the United States and Russia, has announced that it will launch a communications satellite between April 4 and 8.

The United States, Japan and South Korea believe the North is actually testing a missile that could, in theory, reach Alaska.

Japan has said any such launch would violate UN sanctions on North Korea that were implemented after Pyongyang tested a ballistic missile and an atomic bomb in 2006.

During Monday talks, the Japanese side proposed bringing the issue to the United Nations and calling on the international community to take appropriate action, Jiji reported.

"We would like to deal with it carefully while coordinating with other countries," Jiji quoted China's Wu as saying.

"We should make a decision while considering the situation."

The Chinese foreign ministry could not immediately comment on the Jiji report.

Foreign ministry officials in Seoul said South Korea's nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac would visit Beijing Tuesday for talks with Wu on North Korea. He was scheduled to return home Wednesday, they said.

A top US general last week said the United States could shoot down the projectile if it were determined to be a ballistic missile, and Japan also said it would shoot down any rocket heading for its territory.

North Korea has resisted pressure to call off the launch and warned that any attempt to down the craft would be regarded as an act of war.

China, meanwhile, has called on all sides to exercise restraint and return to the stalled six-nation nuclear talks.

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